BEAR Unit officers arrest wanted Thunder Bay man, seize replica firearm

Police seized a replica firearm during the arrest of a wanted Thunder Bay man Thursday.

Members of the Thunder Bay Police Service’s Break and Enter and Robbery (BEAR) Unit were in the 200-block area of Cumming Street just before 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 27, when they observed a male suspected to be wanted on outstanding warrants.

The identity of the male suspect was confirmed, as were the outstanding warrants.

BEAR officers completed the arrest of the suspect just after 12:20 p.m. that same day. He was transported to the Thunder Bay Police Service headquarters at 1200 Balmoral Street.

During the arrest officers located and seized a replica firearm the suspect had concealed and in his possession.

The outstanding warrant was based on charges of theft and fraud that came as a result of an incident on May 22, 2023.

On that date, officers with the Primary Response Branch responded to complaints of items being stolen from a vehicle in a fast-food parking lot in the 200-block area of Arthur Street West. Later that same morning, a debit card stolen during that incident was being used for various purchases at a nearby gas bar and a convenience store.

A investigation confirmed the suspect’s identity on June 27, 2023.

Trevor Lyndon VARGA, 41, of Thunder Bay, is charged with:

• Carrying Concealed Weapon
• Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
• Theft Under $5,000
• Fraud Under $5,000
• Possession of Proceed of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
• Failure to Comply with Release Order x 2

He appeared in bail court in Thunder Bay on Friday July 28 and was remanded into custody with a future appearance date.